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Local Church News

The Florida Conference is home to hundreds of local churches, ministries, clergy and lay members dedicated to making a difference in the world. Check out the stories below to see how they are sharing ideas and making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Have a story to share? Email webadmin@flumc.org or click here to use our convenient “Submit a story” form.

 

 

August 17, 2018

Pompano Beach ministry brings God’s love to those in need

Love in Action Pompano Beach volunteers serve a hot meal each Sunday to more than 200 people from the surrounding community.

August 10, 2018

Summer Salad gatherings offer women fellowship

It all started when church member Suzanne Tedder realized the women attending the weekly Bible study were having a bit of summer cabin fever, eager to escape the chaos of running the kids here, there ...

August 08, 2018

'Shopping for a Mission' fills Jacksonville pantry

Many generous participants of all ages from Beach Church in Jacksonville went on a special shopping trip to help restock BEAM's (Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry) food pantry.

August 03, 2018

Port Orange Girl Scouts fight hunger

A year after the girls organized and built an outdoor food pantry at First United Methodist Church of Port Orange, the service project continues to meet the needs of the surrounding neighborhood.

July 27, 2018

Kids worship in 'prayground' at First UMC Lakeland

A special section in the back of the fellowship center is reserved for babies, toddlers and children up to 8 years old so they can play quietly and still participate in the service.

July 25, 2018

Churches assist families devastated by fire

On June 24, a planned brush fire burned out of control, destroying the homes of 36 families and 1,000 acres in Eastpoint, a community of about 2,300.

July 23, 2018

Sustaining community support in summer a challenge

About six months after the holidays, food pantries tend to be a little bare. And with school about to start, institutions with mostly students from low-income homes are in dire need of supplies.

July 20, 2018

New Horizon pastor honored for fighting child hunger

HandsOn Broward presented New Horizon UMC’s Rev. Peytyn Tobin with its 2018 Changemaker Award at the nonprofit’s annual Youth Impact Awards in early May.

July 16, 2018

Honoring Rev. Tom Derrough

Venice-based writer Ed Scott remembers a life-changing mission trip to Uganda over 10 years ago led by Rev. Derrough, who passed away on June 30.

July 13, 2018

First Melbourne moving into the future

First United Methodist Church of Melbourne is embarking on a major construction project that will radically transform the historic church.

July 12, 2018

Slimed for a cause

Getting slimed has become a tradition at Palm Harbor UMC.

July 11, 2018

University Carillon named business partner of the year

The church was named Business Partner of the Year by the Florida Department of Education Commissioners Business Recognition Awards.

July 06, 2018

North Naples hosts music camp for Collier students

The camp, which ran from June 4-14, has been ongoing for the past 15 years. It concluded its fourth year at the North Naples Church campus.

July 04, 2018

Missionary couple moves where God needs them

Bill and Laura Roy of St. John UMC, Sebring, will go wherever they are called to serve the church.

June 29, 2018

Team Grace Cycling rides for those impacted by MS

Team Grace is a group of friends, neighbors and families from all over the central Florida area. This year, the team raised more than $45,000.

June 27, 2018

A Life Well-Marked: Counselor finds blessings through obedience

Burt Bennett of Alva (Florida) United Methodist Church encourages others to be fully present with people and show genuine care and interest.

June 22, 2018

Tomoka UMW helps out Daytona Beach pregnancy center

In May, the United Methodist Women donated a Pack and Play crib filled to the brim with baby supplies — diapers, onesies, knitted things and supplies.

June 15, 2018

Beach Church seeking leaders for the future

“We have a huge desire to invest in the next generation, and we want to develop a pipeline of ministerial staff that can be part of our church, a campus we start in the future or in another church.” ...

June 01, 2018

Five months after donating a kidney, Rev. Williamson ran the Boston Marathon

Steady headwind with gusts of 30 mph, 40-degree temps, unceasing rain and even a kidney donation couldn't stop him from hitting the pavement.

May 25, 2018

First deaf persons to complete Certified Lay Servant training

Billy and Mary Ann Deters, a couple from St. Andrew UMC in Titusville became the first deaf persons from the Florida Conference to complete the UMC Advanced Certified Lay Servant training.

May 18, 2018

Church partnership: an olive branch for the whole community

Despite a tense history of racism within the Wildwood community, two churches partner in worship setting an example for healing and positive change.

May 15, 2018

Irma survivor has reason to smile

The April celebration brought an amazing collection of people together who had combined their efforts to help the couple.

May 11, 2018

First Sebring opens 24-7 prayer room

Senior Pastor David Juliano and his wife, Alison, spearheaded the drive to create this unique non-stop prayer meeting, which ultimately will serve the community at large, not just the church.

May 04, 2018

Brews & Hebrews offers taste of spiritual Scripture

With a new influx of millennials joining its congregation, San Marco Church in Jacksonville started holding its Sunday night bible study, Brews and Hebrews, at a local microbrewery. Many stay long ...

April 27, 2018

New Covenant partners with Kids Central

In April 2018, a blue pinwheel garden was planted off U.S. Highway 301 in Wildwood, the results of a church partnership with Kids Central raising awareness for National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April 26, 2018

Despite Irma, the cross shines brightly from San Marco's steeple

While still in the throes of major renovations to their hurricane-damaged church property, this Jacksonville church continued finding ways to serve the surrounding community.

April 20, 2018

An ambitious day of community outreach

Around thirty Edgewater UMC volunteers arrived eager to help out for "Edgewater-North Port Serve Day." There was ample work to be done. Together they tackled three projects proclaiming the gospel ...

April 13, 2018

Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' brought to life

On Maundy Thursday every even year, North Naples Church brings Da Vinci's most famous painting to life. "The Last Supper Alive" is a dramatic worship service that provides a unique way to experience ...

April 06, 2018

Photo journey of young adult mission to Haiti

Stricken by natural disasters, political unrest and poverty, the island nation of Haiti needs compassionate outreach. Taking up the call, Beach Church Jacksonville invited young adults to join them on...

March 29, 2018

United Methodists wash feet, feed souls

On Palm Sunday, Pompano Beach Chapel held an annual foot-washing for the homeless community.

March 23, 2018

Palm Coast reaches out to Mongolia

Described as a multicultural congregation, Palm Coast UMC recently enjoyed a visit from Dr. Soon Hoon Chung, president of Huree University in Mongolia. The result was a "love offering" that collected ...

March 16, 2018

La Gonave Island pastor visits N. Naples, Carlson Memorial

Pastor Jean-Jacques Agones of La Gonave Island, Haiti, recently visited North Naples UMC and Carlson Memorial in LaBelle to describe how mission groups in his country have changed lives that were once...

March 14, 2018

Rev. Sean Peters – Embracing God’s Surprises

Rev. Sean Peters shares about his surprising journey from the world of theater to the world of church planting, what it means to embrace the people that God sends to you, and his story of healing from...

March 09, 2018

Job turnover is zero among homeless employees at Tampa's Portico Cafe

Hyde Park UMC's Portico Café does more than serve coffee and baked goods. Hiring several individuals who were either homeless or were re-entering the workforce after serving prison sentences, there ...

March 02, 2018

Palma Ceia's iMatter program offers unconditional love

Palma Ceia UMC's iMatter program, which includes a unique sensory room with soft music, lights and calming images, was initially formed to meet the needs of those with special needs. Today, it's ...

February 23, 2018

New Farmers Market Hosted by Montverde United Methodist Church

A new outdoor Farmer’s Market has enthusiasts checking out the fresh produce, seafood, baked goods, homemade foods and handmade crafts and other goodies every Wednesday in the Town of Montverde’s Kirk...

February 22, 2018

Response to Parkland: Trinity UMC marches on the Florida State Capitol

Inspired by Bishop Ken Carter's recent call-to-action, members of Trinity UMC, Tallahassee, marched on the Florida State Capitol to support the voices of student protesters.

February 16, 2018

American glass artistry on display since 1926

Including visits from a Hollywood director and inspiration from a famous author, FUMC St. Petersburg attracts hundreds of tourists each year. But this is not a story about films and books. Ten stained...

February 09, 2018

Church contributes to elementary school through reading buddy program

Just in time for Florida's Celebrate Literacy Week, News 6 (Orlando) featured an outreach effort that's getting results in our schools.

February 02, 2018

Gift shares offer 'priceless' shopping experiences

For Shari Fling of Peace UMC in Orlando having too much "stuff" can be a good thing. Through events called gift shares, Fling helps provide "priceless" shopping experiences to church and community ...

January 26, 2018

50,000 breakfasts and still serving

For Joining Hands Mission UMC in Holiday, serving breakfast for those in need is a way of life. The church parking lot is filled with griddles, gas stoves and waffle irons every Sunday morning.

January 19, 2018

MLK week revival helps bring unity to Wildwood

A recent two-day revival in Wildwood was held to help break down racial divisions. For Rev. Michael Beck, senior pastor at Wildwood UMC, the "Unity Movement" event was part of an ongoing mission that ...

January 12, 2018

She plays the world's largest flute

For Paige Long, co-director of music ministries at Palm Coast UMC, playing the flute is no ordinary task. Included in her repertoire is an instrument called the double contrabass. It weighs 30 pounds,...

January 05, 2018

St. James food pantry offers help in tough times

At St. James UMC in St. Petersburg, a monthly food pantry is held in its fellowship hall. Serving an area covering eight zip codes, the pantry offers a way through tough times for those with limited ...

December 29, 2017

Harry 'Skip' Wilson honored on NHL ice as Community Hero

For Harry "Skip Wilson, the retired vice president of Tampa Electric Company and member of New Hope UMC in Brandon, being awarded Community Hero by the Tampa Bay Lightning was a complete surprise. On ...

December 22, 2017

Inspired by Jane Austen, LifeGroup paints Christmas

Thirteen members of the Advent LifeGroup at Killearn UMC in Tallahassee found inspiration with a 16 by 20-inch canvas, some paints and the book "A Jane Austen Devotional" by Thomas Nelson. Together, ...

December 15, 2017

UMCOR meets challenges of 2017 relief

Challenged by hurricanes, floods, wildfires and earthquakes, UMCOR faced a difficult year in 2017. Organizational changes are offering greater efficiency in delivering supplies.

December 08, 2017

Dinner, size-13 cleats, make a difference in Seminole Heights

Seminole Heights UMC has always been a hub for community gatherings. With recent events that involved a serial killer in the eclectic Tampa neighborhood, the church has found new ways to make a ...

December 01, 2017

Sager Brown dedication remembers longtime friend

Central Florida's Sager Brown Mission Team recently dedicated a newly constructed gazebo to the memory of Ed Cepull, who founded the team and served at FUMC in Orlando for more than 40 years.

November 24, 2017

Cardboard City brings awareness to homeless families

Sleeping on cardboard boxes and in cars and tents, members of CrossRoad UMC in Jacksonville recently hosted an event called Cardboard City. The chilly and sleepless night helped raise awareness for ...
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